New protests over writer's death in Bangladesh jail
28 February, 2021
Bangladesh Primary Minister Sheikh Hasina in Saturday (Feb 27) shrugged off criticism of her government's rights record as hundreds marched in another day of protests above the loss of life of a prominent article writer in prison.
Demonstrators marched in Dhaka University chanting slogans condemning the government's treatment of Mushtaq Ahmed along with other writers, journalists and activists.
Another protest was staged at the National Press Club, while dozens of folks carried a symbolic coffin around Dhaka University demanding the scrapping of the Digital Security Act (DSA) under which Ahmed was detained previous May.
The wide-ranging DSA has been used to crack down on dissent because it was enacted in 2018.
The protests followed clashes between police and security forces in the capital on Friday night. Police explained six persons were arrested while activists explained at least 30 were injured. Even more protests against the death and arrests had been planned Sunday.
Speaking Saturday in a rare press conference to mark a UN advice that Bangladesh become reclassified as a 'growing' economy, Prime Minister Hasina - who has been around office pertaining to 12 years - brushed aside international concerns over regulations and Ahmed's death.
"What may we do if someone dies after falling sick in jail," she said. "No death is desired. It is also certainly not preferred that unrest will end up being created."
FEARS FOR CARTOONIST
"Whether the legislation possesses been misused or not depends on your viewpoint. I think regulations is taking its course and will do so. If an individual will not commit a crime, he'll not be punished in a trial," the primary minister added.
Ahmed collapsed and passed away at Kashimpur High Secureness Prison late Thursday.
The 53-year-old, a crocodile farmer and a writer known for his satirical style, was charged with spreading rumours and conducting "anti-state activities" after criticising the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Facebook.
Protesters have got said his death was a good "custodial murder" after he was first denied bail six circumstances in 10 months.
Authorities say they have got ordered a good committee to research whether there is negligence by jail officials.
But ambassadors from 13 countries, including the United States, France, Britain, Canada and Germany, possess expressed "grave concern" over the circumstance.
"We call on the government of Bangladesh to conduct a swift, transparent and independent inquiry in to the full instances of Mr Mushtaq Ahmed's death," the envoys said on a statement released late Friday.
They said their countries would pursue "wider concerns about the provisions and implementation of the DSA, and questions about its compatibility with Bangladesh's obligations under international human rights laws and standards."
Rights groups also have raised concerns about the circumstance and the detention of Kabir Kishore, a good cartoonist who was arrested simultaneously as Ahmed.
PEN America said authorities should drop charges against Kishore, as the US-based Committee for the Cover of Journalists said he previously passed an email to his brother throughout a hearing this week stating that he previously been subjected to extreme physical abuse in custody.
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